Articles and methods of masking or protecting a substrate

Abstract

A protection sheet and method of protecting a substrate is disclosed. In an embodiment, the protection sheet comprises an adhesive coated nonwoven material. In an embodiment a surface of the protection sheet captures and retains paint overspray, dust, dirt and other contaminants so as to provide a cleaner paint job. In an embodiment the protection sheet may be laminated to a second nonwoven or woven material to allow clean removal after extended use. The protection sheet may be used to protect horizontal or vertical substrates, and is particularly suited to protect the surfaces of a paint booth used in automotive spray-painting operations.

1. A method of protecting a work surface comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing at least one protection sheet comprising
 (i) a nonwoven material having opposing first and second major surfaces; 
 (ii) a pressure sensitive adhesive, disposed on the second major surface of the nonwoven material; and 
 (iii) a scrim material in contact with at least a portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive, wherein the scrim material is partially embedded in the pressure sensitive adhesive such that the scrim material is disposed between the pressure sensitive adhesive and the second major surface of the nonwoven material and at least a portion of scrim material extends above the surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive such that a portion of the scrim material is substantially free from adhesive and exposed at the top surface of the protection sheet; and 
 
 (b) adhering the at least one protection sheet to a substrate to be protected. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein adhering the at least one protection sheet to the substrate comprises applying sufficient pressure to protection sheet to bring the pressure sensitive adhesive surface in contact with the substrate. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven material comprises fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester, rayon, polyolefin, cotton, and blends thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the nonwoven material comprises polyester fibers. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven material comprises a material taken from the group consisting of: spun laced fibers, spunbond fibers, melt blown fibers, and thermal bonded fibers. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is selected from the group consisting of acrylate polymers, natural and synthetic rubbers, silicone polymers, polyurethanes, polyolefins, poly (vinyl ethers) and styrene block copolymers. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein protection sheet comprises a second scrim material. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scrim material comprises woven polyester fibers. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scrim material has less than 50 threads in the warp direction for every 30 threads in the fill direction. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the scrim material has less than 30 threads in the warp direction for every 15 threads in the fill direction. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein protection sheet further comprises an optical brightener. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein protection sheet is wound in a roll and adhering the at least one protection sheet to a substrate comprises dispensing protection sheet from the roll. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the roll is perforated to facilitate removal and use. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein protection sheet further comprises a low adhesion backsize disposed on the first major surface of the nonwoven material. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive has a coat weight of at least 10 grams/meter2. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is crosslinked. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , wherein protection sheet has a peel adhesion of less than 25 kg/meter after ninety-six, 30 minute bake cycles at 180° C. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1 , wherein protection sheet has a particulate retention of at least 20%. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1 , wherein protection sheet has an adhesive transfer of less than 25% after ninety-six, 30 minute bake cycles at 180° C.